• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Indian Veggie Delight logo

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Kids Lunch Box
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Rice & Grains
    • Lentil & Beans
    • Millet
    • Vegan
    • Keto/Low Carb Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Kids Lunch Box
  • Subscribe
  • About Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Air Fryer
  • Kids Lunch Box
  • Shop
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Cooking 101

    How to Sprout Beans

    May 4, 2023. by Bhavana Patil. 2 Comments | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe

    Learn how to sprout beans easily at home with this step-by-step guide. Sprouted beans are nutritious and can be used in salads, sandwiches, curries, and many more.

    sprouted moong beans in a bowl

    My mother used to show us a lot of things she had done in the kitchen when we were kids. One of them was sprouting. Growing up, I found sprouting beans to be a pleasant and informative activity. It was an excellent opportunity to discover how plants develop and to examine the germination process.

    Sprouting beans at home was also a practical method to add more fresh produce to our meals while saving money on shopping. Mung beans, lentils, or chickpeasโ€”all of which are simple to sprout and have a moderate flavorโ€”would normally be used by my family.

    These crunchy sprouted beans are versatile and can be eaten either raw or cooked and can be used in the preparation of various dishes such as curries, dals, stir-fries, sandwiches, and salads.

    If you don't have time to sprout at home, you can find sprouted beans in the produce section at your local grocery stores.

    To help you enjoy this simple and fun process of sprouting beans at home, I'll be sharing some tips and tricks. Read about it below.ย 

    Jump to:
    • What Is Sprouting?
    • Why Sprout Beans?
    • How to Sprout Moong Beans
    • Sprouting Beans using Instant Pot
    • How To Store Sprouts?ย 
    • Recipes In Which You Can Use Sprouts
    • Tips And Tricks For Perfect Sprouting
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More Cooking 101 Recipes
    • How to Sprout Beans

    What Is Sprouting?

    Sprouting is the process of germinating seeds, lentils, beans, grains, or nuts where they are soaked in water for a specific amount of time and then allowed to germinate, i.e., tearing their outer layers and the emergence of a new sprout.

    Why Sprout Beans?

    Sprouting often improves the grains, legumes, or bean's nutritional value by reducing the levels of anti-nutrients such as phytic acid. Phytic acid can also inhibit the absorption of essential minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium in the body, and can also interfere with digestive enzymes, leading to gas and indigestion.

    How to Sprout Moong Beans

    Step 1: Rinse And Soak

    Rinse the moong beans thoroughly in cold water and remove any debris or damaged beans.

    step to rinse the mung beans collage

    Transfer the rinsed moong beans to a large bowl and add 2-3 cups of filtered water to cover the beans by about two inches. Soak them for at least 8-12 hours. Just cover the beans with a thin kitchen towel. Do not cover the beans with a lid, as they may develop an odor.

    step to soak the mung beans in water collage

    After the soaking period, the beans would have doubled in size. Discard the water and rinse the moong beans again under running water and drain the water using a strainer or colander.

    step to check the soaked beans collage

    Step 2: Sprouting Moong Beans in a Cheesecloth

    Placing the soaked beans on a cheesecloth or muslin cloth.

    step to put soaked beans in a cheesecloth collage

    Gather all the edges of the cloth together and tie the ends securely to form a bundle. Then, place the bundle in a clean bowl or colander.

    Store them in a warm, dark place away from direct sunlight. Normally, I keep them in my oven with lights on for warmth or in an Instant Pot with "Yogurt mode" on.

    step to wrap the cheesecloth and store collage

    Beans will start to sprout in 12 hours, and this is how it looks, with small roots emerging from the bean. The exact timing of sprouting can vary depending on factors such as the type of bean, temperature, and moisture levels. Sprouting takes longer in Winter than in Summer.

    Note: It's important to maintain moisture in the cloth while sprouting. If you notice that the kitchen napkin has become dry after a day or two, sprinkle some filtered water over it lightly.

    sprouted beans after 12 hours

    You can allow the moong beans to continue sprouting for another day or two to achieve longer sprouts. This is how it looks within 24 hours with a ยฝ-inch long tail.

    mung sprouts after 1 day

    Sprouting Beans using Instant Pot

    Another option for sprouting is using an Instant Pot. Wrap the beans in cheesecloth and place them in a bowl on the trivet in the Instant Pot.

    Set the Instant Pot to the "Yogurt" or "Keep Warm" setting and allow the beans to sit for 8-12 hours. You will see mung beans sprouting. Continue sprouting for another day to achieve longer sprouts.

    How To Store Sprouts? 

    Rinse the sprouts, drain, and pat them dry thoroughly. Store in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container or zip-lock bag.

    Recipes In Which You Can Use Sprouts

    Sprouts can be used in a variety of recipes. For instance, a simple sprouts curry to pair with steamed rice, paratha, salad, or the popular Maharashtrian-style Misal Pav or khichdi. You can experiment more, the choice is yours!

    Tips And Tricks For Perfect Sprouting

    Here are some of my exclusive advice on how to consistently get perfect sprouts. Take a look below:

    1. Choose high-quality beans: Use high-quality beans to sprout. Old beans may not sprout properly. 
    2. Rinse the beans: Rinse the beans thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris.
    3. Soak the beans in filter water: Put the beans in filtered warm water to soak. Hard water can possibly restrict beans from soaking properly, which will, inturn, hinder sprouting.
    4. Keep the beans moist: Make sure to keep the beans moist during the sprouting process. If it's dry, sprinkle some amount of water on the cheesecloth to keep it moist.
    5. Make sure the sprouting area is clean and dry: Ensure the sprouting area is clean and in a warm, dry location. Otherwise, sprouts can get contaminated and become sticky and smelly. 
    6. No Cheesecloth: If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use any thin cotton cloth, or muslin cloth to sprout the beans.
    7. Store the sprouted beans correctly: Once the beans have sprouted, rinse them thoroughly, and store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why you shouldn't eat raw bean sprouts?

    Since seeds and beans require warm, humid conditions to sprout and thrive, raw or undercooked sprouts provide a danger of food-borne illness. In such warm and humid environments, bacteria that may make you sick, such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, grow.

    Are bean sprouts good for you?

    Bean sprouts are a good source of protein and minerals. The root vegetable may be used to treat a number of ailments without harming your general health. Bean sprouts are a delightful and crispy addition to any salad. You can also add it to the soups to increase their nutritional value.ย 

    How long does it take to sprout mung beans?

    It can take as little as one to two days for beans to sprout, and three to four days for them to reach an edible size.

    How do I prevent my sprouts from getting moldy?

    First, letโ€™s understand why this happens. This happens when there is too much water on your sprouts. Mold may grow easily if the sprouts are too damp in between rinses and there isn't enough airflow.

    More Cooking 101 Recipes

    • How to Make Ghee
    • How to Make Garlic Paste
    • How to Store Garlic
    • How to Store Cilantro

    If youโ€™ve liked this post, How to sprout beans, or any other recipe on Indianveggiedelight, then donโ€™t forget to rate the recipe. You can also follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see the latest recipes!

    Tried this recipe?Donโ€™t forget to give a โ˜… rating below
    mung sprouts in a bowl

    How to Sprout Beans

    Bhavana Patil
    Learn how to sprout beans easily at home with this step-by-step guide. Sprouted beans are nutritious and can be used in salads, sandwiches, curries, and many more.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 4
    Calories : 180
    Course: meal preparation
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Vegan
    Method: Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
    Prep Time : 8 hours hours
    sprouting time : 1 day day
    Total Time : 1 day day 8 hours hours

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowl Set
    • Cheesecloth
    • Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup mung beans
    • 2 cups water for soaking

    Instructions
     

    Step 1: Rinse And Soak

    • Rinse the moong beans thoroughly in cold water and remove any debris or damaged beans.
      step to rinse the mung beans collage
    • Transfer the rinsed moong beans to a large bowl and add 2-3 cups of filtered water to cover the beans by about two inches. Soak them for at least 8-12 hours. Just cover the beans with a thin kitchen towel. Do not cover the beans with a lid, as they may develop an odor.
      step to soak the mung beans in water collage
    • After the soaking period, the beans would have doubled in size. Discard the water and rinse the moong beans again under running water and drain the water using a strainer or colander.
      step to check the soaked beans collage

    Step 2: Sprouting Moong Beans in a Cheesecloth

    • Placing the soaked beans on a cheesecloth or muslin cloth.
      step to put soaked beans in a cheesecloth collage
    • Gather all the edges of the cloth together and tie the ends securely to form a bundle. Then, place the bundle in a clean bowl or colander.
    • Store them in a warm, dark place away from direct sunlight. Normally, I keep them in my oven with lights on for warmth or in an Instant Pot with "Yogurt mode" on.
      step to wrap the cheesecloth and store collage
    • Beans will start to sprout in 12 hours, and this is how it looks, with small roots emerging from the bean. The exact timing of sprouting can vary depending on factors such as the type of bean, temperature, and moisture levels. Sprouting takes longer in Winter than in Summer.
      Note:ย It's important to maintain moisture in the cloth while sprouting. If you notice that the kitchen napkin has become dry after a day or two, sprinkle some filtered water over it lightly.
      sprouted beans after 12 hours
    • You can allow the moong beans to continue sprouting for another day or two to achieve longer sprouts. This is how it looks within 24 hours with a ยฝ-inch long tail.
      mung sprouts after 1 day

    Sprouting Beans using Instant Pot

    • Another option for sprouting is using anย Instant Pot. Wrap the beans in cheesecloth and place them in a bowl on the trivet in the Instant Pot.
      Set the Instant Pot to the "Yogurt" or "Keep Warm" setting and allow the beans to sit for 8-12 hours. You will see mung beans sprouting. Continue sprouting for another day to achieve longer sprouts.

    Notes

    Tips And Tricks For Perfect Sprouting

    Here are some of my exclusive advice on how to consistently get perfect sprouts. Take a look below:
    1. Choose high-quality beans: Use high-quality beans to sprout. Old beans may not sprout properly.ย 
    2. Rinse the beans: Rinse the beans thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or debris.
    3. Soak the beans in filter water: Put the beans in filtered warm water to soak. Hard water can possibly restrict beans from soaking properly, which will, inturn, hinder sprouting.
    4. Keep the beans moist: Make sure to keep the beans moist during the sprouting process. If it's dry, sprinkle some amount of water on the cheesecloth to keep it moist.
    5. Make sure the sprouting area is clean and dry: Ensure the sprouting area is clean and in a warm, dry location. Otherwise, sprouts can get contaminated and become sticky and smelly.ย 
    6. No Cheesecloth: If you don't have cheesecloth, you can use any thin cotton cloth, or muslin cloth to sprout the beans.
    7. Store the sprouted beans correctly: Once the beans have sprouted, rinse them thoroughly, and store them in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 12gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 14mgPotassium: 645mgFiber: 8gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 72mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword how to sprouts moong beans, sprout beans
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @indianveggiedelight or #indianveggiedelight

    More Cooking 101 Recipes

    • a bowl of fresh homemade curd (yogurt) with a spoon full of curd
      How to Make Curd (Dahi)
    • How to Store Ginger
    • How to Store Curry Leaves (Buy, Clean, & Use)
    • ginger paste in a glass jar with ginger knob on the side
      How to Make Ginger Paste
    5 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Radha Krishnan Siva Kumar says

      May 15, 2023 at 3:47 am

      5 stars
      Nice and easy explanation

      Reply
      • Bhavana Patil says

        May 18, 2023 at 7:23 am

        Thank you so much Radha

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I am Bhavana! Welcome to my blog! Here you'll find easy recipes for your Instant Pot, Kids Lunch Box ideas, Keto/LowCarb, Air-fryer plus more wholesome, easy Vegetarian/Vegan Indian recipes that your family will love.

    More about me โ†’

    Popular Recipes

    • 75 plus Healthy indian Kids Lunch Box Recipes collage
      Healthy Kids Lunch Box Recipes
    • 40+ best easy indian dinner recipes collage
      40+ Best Indian Dinner Recipes (Easy Dinner Ideas)
    • indian breakfast recipes collage
      25+ Best Indian Breakfast Recipes
    • Creamy Avocado Pasta served in a bowl
      The Best Avocado Pasta
    • indian salad recipes collage
      15+ Best Indian Salad Recipes
    • collage of indian air fryer recipes
      20+ Easy Air Fryer Indian Recipes

    Footer

    โ†‘ BACK TO TOP

    ABOUT

    • ABOUT BHAVANA
    • CONTACT
    • PRIVACY POLICY

    RECIPES

    • COOKING 101
    • INSTANT POT 101
    • INSTANT POT RECIPES
    • AIR FRYER RECIPES
    • KIDS LUNCH BOX
    • WEB STORIES

    RESOURCES

    • SHOP
    • SUBSCRIBE

    AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE, I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

    Copyright ยฉ 2023 INDIAN VEGGIE DELIGHT